Mental Measurements

Mental Measurements

Introduction

The paper includes two types of intelligence and two types of assessment tests. The paper includes critical analysis of intelligence definition, theory of intelligence, measures of intelligence, assessments of intelligence and achievement and ethical consideration in education.

Critique the major definitions of intelligence

Intelligence is defined by Howard Gardner (1983, 1993), David Perkins (1995) and Robert Sternberg (1988, 1997). Mutually, intelligence defined by these authors conclude that intelligence is the ability to learn, pose problems and solve problems. Howard presents eight types of intelligences which are bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, naturalistic and spatial. As per Howard's intelligence, every person falls in a different category and some are naturally gifted in a particular area. Sternberg has defined intelligence with three main components of practical intelligence, experiential intelligence and componential intelligence (otec.uoregon.edu).

Sternberg doesn't focuses on intelligence types related to the academic intelligence. Study and practice can increase intelligence level. Sternberg believes that intelligence differs with what is learnt in school and what is learnt outside school. A student must be talented in both but mostly one is more successful in one part than other. According to David Perkins, the intelligence comprises of neural intelligence, experiential intelligence and reflective intelligence. According to Swerdlik and Cohen, intelligence manifest itself within the abilities of acquisition and use of knowledge, effective planning, logical reasoning skills, judgment making, perception, dealing and adjusting wit situations, intuition and coping (otec.uoregon.edu). These abilities do not define intelligence but are a combination o measuring intelligence. Galton believes that information passes through hear, vision, touch, taste and smell which process intelligence. Galton fails to explain that how information is interpreted and turned in knowledge and abilities (otec.uoregon.edu).

Theory of intelligence

First intelligence test selected is the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. It is different for adults and children. The measurement conducted is of cognitive ability or the intelligence quotient (IQ). The adult version of the tests is of people for age 16 or above. For children, the age limit is 6 to 16 years. Scores determine the performance IQ, verbal IQ and full-scale IQ with a average score of 100. The sub-tests have divided the verbal and performance sections into object assembly, comprehension, picture completion and arithmetic (academia.edu).

The second test is Roschach Inkblot Test. This test is a common technique for the assessment of personality characteristics. The children and adults design this test within the clinical and research settings. Ten abstract inkblot images are presented which are black, multicolored or black and red. The subject views each image and informs the tester of what he views, along with nay related feelings about the picture. This free-association phase is then followed by the inquiry phase where the tester shows the inkblot cards in a specific order. The personality characteristics are assessed through Exner scoring system where any underlying thoughts are accessed related to the descriptions of the inkblots (academia.edu).

The theory matching the intelligence tests selected is the PASS model. It is a neuropsychological model by Luria which includes the extensive application ...